Walk-a-Thon & Auction Info for New Families

How does the Walk-a-Thon & Auction raise money?

Pledges – Pledge donations are the most important source of Walk-a-Thon funds. A pledge is a promise of financial support for your student’s walking efforts, either as a flat amount or on a per-lap basis
Auction proceeds – Bid on fun experiences and great items
Ticket sales – For buying fun foods and shout-outs at the event
T-shirt sponsors – Thank you to the local businesses that support our students

What is the fundraising goal? What is the money used for?

We are aiming to raise at least $70,000 overall, with $55,000 coming from pledges. Our goal is for each student to raise $160 or more! Funds are used to enable all PTA programs, such as:

Hands-on science program
Teacher funds to support teaching materials and student supplies
Field trips, assemblies, and special in class programs
School wide events such as Fall Festival, Diwali, Lunar New Year, & International Night
Library funds for school and classroom libraries
Technology material support such as teaching software
SPARK art lessons, summer playdates, yearbook, 5th Grade Promotion Celebration, parent education, and more!

What happens at school that day?

The students’ school day will start and end at their usual times, 8:15 – 12:45/2:30.
At 9:00, classes will gather on the blacktop in their Friday Flag positions for a kickoff rally. Then class by class, students will be released to the course to start walking!
Fun foods for purchase with tickets and prizes will be available throughout the event. School brunch will be provided during the usual recess period, 10:00-10:20.
When the walking time ends around 12:00, students will exit the course, turn in their lap cards and go to lunch. School lunch will be available as usual in the cafeteria. After lunch, they will return to their classrooms until the end of the school day.
TK and Kinder will have dedicated rest areas and rest times. They will also exit the course earlier than older grades.

How long is the course? How many laps can I expect my student to walk?

The course is around .22 miles long.
After the first lap which is completed as a class, students are able to leave and return to the course as they wish.
Keep your ears open for the bonus song announced at the opening ceremony. All laps completed during the bonus song will receive double marks!
The median number of laps completed by grade last year was: TK – 15, Kinder – 26, 1st – 31, 2nd – 32, 3rd – 39, 4th – 38, 5th – 37.

Are family members able to attend?

Yes! Parents, siblings, and family members are invited to attend and come on campus as visitors from 9:00-12:00 to join in the walking, cheer on their students, and volunteer. We need 200 volunteers to pull off this event! Volunteers arriving between 8:00-9:00 or staying for cleanup after noon must be volunteer cleared.

I can’t attend that morning. Are there other ways to help?

There are many ways to support your student and our school:

Some volunteer shifts take place earlier in the week, not just the day-of.
There are some volunteer roles that can be done entirely from home, such as data entry. Email wata@cherrychasepta.org to learn more.
We also need donations of chips, juice, soft drinks, gatorade, sparkling water, and baked goods to help power kids through their walking. Sign up to bring something here.
Help your child raise pledge donations.

When do students receive their shirts?

Walk-a-Thon t-shirts will be distributed by teachers to their classes on Friday morning before the kickoff rally. Students can wear it over their shirt or change in the bathroom.